Other Issues on Eastern Connecticut

More on Eastern Connecticut

“As the ranking member of the Seapower subcommittee, it is great to see the shipbuilding plan we passed fueling positive trends and growth. This visit was proof that the work we are doing with the Navy is generating sustained growth across the entire state, not just at the shipyard itself.”

“Since 2015, the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services has attempted to identify a location for a new training range. And for these last three years, I have been deeply concerned about the ongoing efforts to place this facility in towns across eastern Connecticut – in every instance over the strong objection of local citizens and municipal leaders,” wrote Courtney in his testimony.

GRISWOLD – Residents hell-bent on keeping their town quiet are making quite the noise.

They’re an eclectic bunch – about 80 of whom are a part of the crusading Keep Griswold Quiet/Save Pachaug Forest.

Electric Boat employees, professional artists, retired veterans, carpenters, students, veterinarians, casino employees, waiters, truck drivers, mathematicians, a pilot, holistic therapist and many more make up the group preparing for an opportunity this week to keep a controversial, state-proposed gun range out of their town.

“Connecticut Sea Grant has been assisting local shellfish farmers, fishermen, and maritime conservation efforts across the Long Island Sound for fifty-years,” said Courtney. “They handle everything from connecting aquaculture producers to communities to jumpstarting fisheries. Sea Grant is a vital part of our region’s maritime economy and I am very glad that we were able to help Connecticut Sea Grant obtain this critical funding"

“Windham Hospital is a critical source of high-quality care for the Windham region,” said Courtney. “At a time when hospital financing has been in turmoil across Connecticut, this five-year recurring commitment will provide a sizable boost in stable revenue for Windham Hospital. Windham is in a unique position as the only MDH hospital in Connecticut, and that fact underscores the critical work their clinical staff provides in eastern Connecticut."

The IRS has determined that homeowners who make repairs to their crumbling foundations within the next three years can amend their 2017 federal tax filings to deduct the cost.

Under the updated guidance from the IRS, which U.S. Reps. John B. Larson, 1st-District; Joseph D. Courtney, 2nd-District; and Rihard Neal of Massachusetts announced Wednesday, homeowners will have through the end of 2020 to make qualified repairs to their homes and until April 2021 to claim those repairs on amended 2017 federal tax return.

“This is welcome news for homeowners in our districts,” the members said. “The additional three years afforded under this updated policy provides critical time for more homeowners impacted by crumbling foundations to make repairs and secure federal tax relief. Since enactment of the new tax law, we have been in regular contact with officials from the Treasury and IRS to explore ways to extend as much relief as possible to homeowners in spite of the changes made by the law. We are grateful for their attention to our concerns and the support they have provided today to homeowners struggling with the damage caused by crumbling foundations.”

“As the IRS confirmed in its letter, qualified taxpayers who paid to repair damage to their homes in 2017 or in prior open tax years will still able to deduct the cost of those repairs as a casualty loss on their 2017 returns. This is welcome confirmation for those homeowners who have already completed repair work on their homes and will soon begin to prepare their taxes,” said Courtney and Larson.

Washington – Connecticut’s accountants are frustrated that they can give clients only limited advice about a massive federal tax overhaul underway in Congress, and some predict there will be more losers than winners among individual taxpayers in the state.

“I am pleased to announce that the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Connecticut’s Second Congressional District are Gianna Guzzo, Marissa Guzzo, and Alexandra Smith from Suffield,” said Courtney. “We had a number of exceptional submissions to the Second Congressional District App Challenge this year, but our team hailing from Suffield stood out. Our panel of judges from the University of Connecticut were convinced that the winning app showed both an advanced understanding of computer programming and a determination to improve the lives of people suffering with various mental health conditions."